His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 153: Under the Surface

Celeste let out a soft, dismissive laugh as she set her phone down, leaning back in her chair with the kind of relaxed arrogance that felt almost practiced. Her arms folded loosely across her chest while her gaze drifted over Iris, slow and unapologetic.

"I heard from Ethan you just got back last night," she said, her tone light but edged with something sharper. "Six months off after selling your company, and the first thing you do when you're back is step into his love life?"

Iris didn't even bother hiding her amusement. "Love life?" She let out a quiet scoff, her eyes turning cold. "You might be able to sell that story to my brother, but I'm not buying it. So let's skip the act, Celeste. What do you actually want?"

Celeste's smile widened, almost playful. "I like good-looking men," she said casually. "And I picked Ethan."

There wasn't a flicker of hesitation in her voice, but that only made Iris's expression harden further.

"You do care about looks," Iris replied evenly, her voice steady but cutting, "but you care about money more. You don't move unless there's something in it for you. Sure, Ethan checks the box visually, but there are plenty of attractive men out there. Don't insult me with some story about sparks flying or feelings growing over time. I won't believe any of it."

Their coffees arrived just then, the interruption doing nothing to ease the tension sitting thick between them.

"Thanks," Celeste said smoothly, accepting her drink as if nothing had shifted. She took a slow sip, then brushed her hair back with deliberate ease, the movement just enough to reveal the watch at her wrist, understated in motion but impossible to miss.

She looked back at Iris with a faint, knowing smile. "You've always been the smart one," she said. "Why don't you figure it out? Why would I get close to your brother?"

Iris didn't answer right away. Her fingers tightened slightly against her sleeve, her gaze sharpening as she studied Celeste, picking apart every detail.

When she finally spoke, her tone was calm, almost too calm.

"You work a standard job, nothing impressive, but somehow you're dressed head to toe in designer labels. Your social feed looks like a luxury lifestyle blog. So tell me, what's really funding that? Because it's definitely not your salary. What is it, Celeste, you taking orders from someone now?"

The reaction was immediate.

Celeste's composure cracked, her face tightening as her hand came down hard against the table. "Watch it, Iris."

But Iris didn't even flinch. "Only someone trained to follow commands reacts that fast," she said, her voice still level, still controlled. "Say jump, you jump. Say smile, you smile. Lily tells you to go after Ethan, and suddenly here you are, playing the part. Honestly, I've seen people with more backbone."

For a split second, Celeste froze.

It was subtle, the way her eyes flickered, the way her breath hitched just enough to betray her. But it was there.

And that was all Iris needed.

So I was right.

The realization settled heavy in her chest, bringing with it a cold, creeping anger.

"So what's the plan?" Iris continued, leaning forward slightly now, her voice dropping. "Drive a wedge between me and my family? Or get close enough to keep tabs on me and Julian? Now that I'm back, what comes next, you move in with Ethan and make it permanent?"

Celeste forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes this time. She picked up her coffee again, buying herself a second to recover.

When she set it down, the composure was back, or at least something close to it.

"You really are something, Iris," she said with a quiet laugh. "Sharp, logical, always connecting dots no one else even sees. If Lily ever went up against you over a man, she wouldn't stand a chance." She paused just long enough to let that land before continuing, her tone softening. "But you're overthinking this. I was drawn to Ethan at first, sure. But after spending time with him, I realized I actually fell for him."

Iris didn't respond, but her gaze darkened.

"I know you don't like me," Celeste added, her voice lowering, "but we were friends for years. And I'm serious about him. I hope you can at least accept that."

As she spoke, she slipped her phone out again, typing quickly before turning the screen toward Iris.

Smart as you are, you're definitely recording this.

The words hit harder than they should have.

Iris's jaw tightened, a suffocating pressure building in her chest as the last bit of leverage she thought she had slipped out of reach.

Everything was out in the open now, just not in a way she could use.

"No matter what you think," Celeste went on, rising from her seat and reaching for her bag, "I'm not walking away from Ethan. I love him."

She held Iris's gaze for a moment longer, the faint curl of her lips carrying just enough challenge to make the message clear.

"That's all I had to say. I've got somewhere to be."

And just like that, she was gone.

Iris sat there a moment longer, her eyes drifting toward the window, though she wasn't really seeing anything outside. Her thoughts tangled together, heavy and restless.

Even Emily had managed to anchor Ethan completely, and Celeste, with her looks and calculated charm, was on a different level altogether.

I can't stop this.

A worker began placing holiday decals on the café window, bright reds and golds catching the light, cheerful and festive in a way that felt strangely distant to her.

The holiday season was getting closer.

Iris exhaled quietly, grabbed her bag, and left.

By the time she reached the subway, the mood had shifted around her. People streamed past carrying bouquets and gift bags, the kind of small, everyday signs that something celebratory was in the air.

On impulse, she rode downtown and ended up at a busy holiday market.

The place was alive with color and noise, rows of stalls overflowing with flowers, decorations, and seasonal trinkets. The air smelled sweet and fresh, layered with the warmth of the crowd and the low hum of conversation.

For a while, Iris let herself drift through it, the atmosphere pulling her in despite everything.

She eventually stopped at a small stand filled with holiday accessories, her attention caught by a simple but charming hair clip.

It was bright red, shaped like a tiny snake, delicate and detailed in a way that made it stand out.

She picked it up, turning it slightly. "How much is this?"

"Twenty," the vendor replied.

Iris hesitated for half a second, then set it back down.

Not worth it.

She had barely pulled her hand away when someone stepped in beside her. A phone lifted, a quick tap, and the payment went through before she could react.

The sudden closeness made her turn.